William Riley Lifeboat

OTD 1906 the Newcastle Collier SS Isle of Iona ran on to Whitby Rock, the RNLB John Fielden was launched under the command of Coxswain Thomas Langlands saving the six crew of the vessel. As the weather deteriorated the ship became a total loss.

OTD 1934 Princess Mary christened Runswick Bay's Lifeboat the RNLB Robert Patton-The Always Ready. Originally the boat was going to be called 'The Always Ready' but the name was change in honour of Runswick's Coxswain Robert Patton who give his life in a rescue in February 1934

OTD 1940 the Runswick Lifeboat the RNLB 'The Robert Patton - The Always Ready' was launched at 0200hrs to the SS Buizerd which was ashore and taking water in a strong northerly wind at Kelder Steel two miles east of Runswick, the Lifeboat took off the Buizerd's crew of six.

OTD 1946 Whitby’s RNLB Mary Ann Hepworth was launched to aid MFV Easter Morn who had lost a crewman overboard as she entered the harbour in a northerly gale. Lifeboatman Harland entered the water & saved the man and was later was awarded the RNLI’s Silver medal for his gallantry.

OTD 1931 the RNLB Jacob & Rachael Vallentine arrived in Whitby for its new role as our No 2 Lifeboat. The R&JV served in Whitby for 7 years until 1938 and in that time she was launched 15 times saving 19 lives. Happy Valentines Day from the staff at Whitby's RNLI Museum & Shop.

As part of our bicentenary celebrations, a look back in time from Staithes RNLI saw them revisit the jubilant days of the station reopening in 1928. The revival of the area meant more crew were available to volunteer and bring the station back on service 💙 #RNLI200 #Heritage

The Rohilla rescue attempts continued, after the loss of the Henry Fielden after rescuing 35 persons, RNLB William Riley was brought from the Upgang Station to assist. Meanwhile Whitby's No 2 Lifeboat & Lifeboats from Scarborough & Hartlepool attempted to reach the ship by sea

Following the Rohilla rescue, the RNLI awarded the following medals to the Whitby crews, Gold Medal to Cox Thomas Langlands, Silver Medals to Richard Eglon and George Peart (non lifeboat crew) whilst vellums were award to Pounder Robinson & Thomas Kelly.

OTD 1914 the attempts to rescue the trapped persons on the HMHS Rohilla continue, the Scarborough Lifeboat, the RNLB Queensbury stood off the stricken vessel all night waiting for an opportunity to take off the remaining survivors without success and had to return to Scarborough.

OTD 1914 RNLB Henry Vernon, Tynemouth Motor Lifeboat arrived at Whitby, Cox Smith in command of the Lifeboat showed great skill in taking his lifeboat alongside the Rohilla in heavy seas and safely rescuing the remaining 40 survivors from the Rohilla and landing them at Whitby.

*LAST CHANCE TO SAVE* J W ARCHER (Watson Class Lifeboat, 1923) Served at Teesmouth & Amble, saving 120 lives. Has been for sale for 2 years and now offered FREE as restoration project. Will be scrapped next month if new owner cannot be found. More info: nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2451/…

We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Whitby RNLI Calendar is now available at a cost of £12 plus P&P. Email Whitby_Museum@rnli.org.uk for info. The calendars are produced by the Whitby Lifeboat volunteers, the 2024 Calendar made £4864.85 for the RNLI.

We are all set up @salfordquays for the @RNLI coast to cobbles event.

Your Whitby Regatta programmes are available to buy now. They cost £3 and all the money goes towards next year’s event. Find the full list of stockists here 👇 whitbyregatta.co.uk/stockists.html #whitby #regatta #yorkshire #event #buyaprogramme

We have been in attendance @HenleyRegatta this weekend. Thanks for having us.

Multiple people were cut off by the tide at Whitby yesterday. Please remember to check the tide times and allow plenty of time to safely leave the beach. rnli.org/news-and-media…

Whitby welcomed a visitor this weekend! Ex RNLB Charles Henry dropped in to Whitby on Saturday afternoon. The 48' Oakley class lifeboat ON 48-12, began its service in 1969 at Selsey, West Sussex and then at Baltimore, Co Cork before being retired from active service in 1987.

It has been a jam-packed weekend for volunteers at Whitby RNLI with celebrations and a shout. thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-new…

It was very special to be able to close our Lifeboat Festival in Poole at the weekend with a parade of sail. Thank you so much to all those who came and supported us ♥ #RNLI200

Flotilla of RNLI boats mark 200 year anniversary bbc.in/3K9WBeq